How we review hotels

How we choose and write

We start with the hotels a destination is actually searched for, then keep the ones we can say something useful about: who the place is for, which room to book, what is within walking distance, and what to know before you book.

Every verdict is written by one curator and checked against three sources: the hotel's own site, recent guest reviews, and the property data behind our booking system — rooms, facilities, location. When the sources disagree, the page says so.

Prices, availability and meal plans never go into the text; they change by date and by the rate you pick. The page shows the current rate instead, and says that the meal plan varies by rate.

What we never write

No hotel pays to be listed, to rank higher, or to be described in a particular way. Where a hotel sits on a list is the curator's call, and the honest drawbacks sit in "Know before you book", not in a footnote.

We don't use praise we can't back up. If we haven't seen a room category, we say so; if we aren't sure of something, we tell you to confirm it when you book.

Pages are not generated automatically. Software may assemble a draft from the curator's notes, but a person writes the verdict, checks the facts and publishes it.

Updates and corrections

Every verdict and list carries the date it was last updated. Renovations, changes of management and closed facilities are corrected the day we learn of them. A hotel that is no longer the place we described comes off the list rather than being softened.